The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1887-04-13
distinct, a sharp click to
rrned my head in that di-

rrned my head in that di
.here-my sight was unusu-
id keen in those days-I saw
1iscolored muzzlc Of n gun pro-
.om the far side of large tree
.nting in the direction of the
he man that held it was completely
len from me by the tree. What could
10? Was to stand there, impotent as
i baby to avert the danger, and see my
colonel shot down like dog2
"a shout Of warning would have been
worse than useless; it would simply
have hastened the fatal catastrophe. I
could not fire at the Indian, for
he was completely out of sight
there was no part of him to be seen.
Even had there been, it would have
availed me nothing, unless I could have
killed him instantaneously. A bullet in
the leg would not probably have made
him vince or alter his aim by hairs
breath, for the fellows were either regu-
lar stoics or utterly insensible to pain.
One casual glance had sufIiced to show me
did mention that my eyes were eXtraor-
dinarily good?-'telescope and microscope
combined, they used to say-that that
aim was directed full upon the motionless
colonel's left temple.
ga moments reflection decided me
there was but one chance left, desperate
one, but still it was chance.
81 grasped my revolver firmly in my
hand, bespattered as it was with blood
and brains; then, without cooking it, for
knew that tho faintest sound made by
me at this juncture would have been the
cOlonel's death signal, l took steady aim
at a point about yard from his head, in
the line that knew the bullet must take
from the rifle Of the native to his temple.
might have aimed at the muzzle of his
rifle had l not known that the moment
the click of my revolver was heard the
death dealing bullet would be on its way.
When think of that moment of agoniz-
ing suspense my words seem to stick in
my throat.
"These things take time in the telling,
but, by jingo! they look literally no time
in the doing. 'Pon my honor, I could
hardly expect you to believe the end Of
my story, but that you know, like myself,
that truth is stranger than fiction.
"Wel, 1 took steady aim ut the spot
that I knew the bullet must pass, and
fixed it as immovably as if the muscles of
my arm had been blacksmith's vice, so
that, when the moment came, might fire
without looking at it again. Then with
my eyes fixed on the muzzle of the rifle
watched it-not second had elapsed since
heard 1t cocked-then raised the ham
mer Of my revolver, hardly daring to
breathe, lest should alter the aim by the
breadth of gossamer thread
"As had anticipated, tho moment the
click reached the ears of the would be as
sassin, and before the report OF his shot
reached my ears, saw the bullet leave
the barrel Of his rifle. That instant !
pressed the trigger. 1t was desperate
attempt, as / said before, but It was sue.
cessful The colonel did not fall He
was saved!
"My first thought, or instinct was to
fire at the dark form flying away among
the trees. brought him down, and the
colonel rushed toward me with his own
revolver ready tor use. He recognized
me on the instant, and demanded an ex-
PLANTATION of the three shots that he had
heard. told him and he paled under his
sunburn.
"'Dare, he said, with nm almost imper.
ceptible tremor in his voice-Dare, you
have saved my life twice over. As stood
there listening I heard strange, sharp
sound close to my ear, and I picked up
this, showing me in the palm OF his hand
large, shapeless lump of lead, which
proved on examination to be the two bull
lets inseparably welded together
"He grasped my hand, covered with the
gore of his late would be murderer.
Thanks, my brave fellow; YOUR cour.
age and presence of mind shall not 90 un-
rewarded
"And I may mention, in passing, that
the gallant colonel kept his word
1--WE surmised afterward that the two
natives had crept up like snakes through
the long grass unperceived by our poor
fellows, who were probably rendered
drowsy by the intense heat; had come up
to each man from behind, and strangled
him before he could utter cry or give
the alarm to his comrades.
"And now / am sure you will all ac-
knowledge that the colonel's was one of
the narrowest shaves a man might wish
to have-almost equal to one of my own
adventures among the Zulus, which l
nope TO tell you on some future evening"
This was the majors story am bound
to believe that every word uttered by my
superior officer is true; you, of course, are
free to do as you please. London
Society.